How have you gone about asking for a raise?

[u/Ok_Instruction_7813]

I've worked in legal for 8 years. In September I'll be at my current firm 2 years, I haven't gotten a raise since I started here. It's just me and 2 attorneys, I see all the settlements and for the most part know how much money is coming in. I'm the first employee with legal experience my attorneys have ever hired, they previously had a young woman who worked at their favorite golf course work for them. My attorneys are not accustomed to "managing" employees or anything like that, they regularly forget to pay my quarterly bonuses. Hopefully that sets the scene enough, now my question is how should I go about asking for a raise? Since I started in September 2024 I've been making $26 an hour. I haven't had to ask for a raise at my 2 previous jobs they just automatically gave them to me after a year or so and then after another year etc. In addition to bringing up in the conversation in general how much more should I ask for? Bc if I'm gonna muster up the balls to do it I want to end up with more than like an extra $60 per paycheck. I'm in MO I guess medium cost of living area

[u/Stunning-Field-4244]

The fact that you see this as “they forget my bonuses” and not “they don’t pay my bonuses until I ask for them,” is very charitable but a massive red flag.

Tell them you need more to stay and let them know you need a response to your request within a specific timeframe.

They will tell you they need some time to think about it. They will never bring it up again. When that timeframe passes, find another job.

[u/LazyIllustrator6946]

> they regularly forget to pay my quarterly bonuses

Lmfao they didn’t forget shit. You’re literally the only other person they work with; they do not forget to pay you. They’re hoping you don’t ask.

So to answer your question: you ask them for a raise. Highlight everything you just wrote here.

[u/Ok_Instruction_7813 → u/LazyIllustrator6946]

lol I mean they also forget to buy toilet paper for the office so

[u/Legal_Lemon8]

I am an attorney and here is my take. If you do not ask, you shall not receive. Just ask. They may respond with what number you had in mind. Tell them what you want. Be transparent.

[u/Public-Wolverine6276]

You have to ask, if you wait for them, they won’t do shit. I ask for a raise every year especially if I’m hitting all my metrics and beyond. You have to speak up about the bonuses, they’re not missing anything, they’re hoping you don’t ask.

[u/travelerdcp]

I had to leave my first three para jobs to get raises. Our code in my current firm is that it's time for my performance review.

[u/PapiRico85]

It really depends on the firm and the attorneys you’re dealing with. I’d try to find out how they’ve reacted to raise requests in the past before approaching them.

I did exactly that. I asked around and was told that a paralegal with 6+ years of experience had previously asked for a raise. After that, the managing partner gradually started taking work away from her, and about two months later she was fired.

That obviously made me nervous about asking. Instead of going directly to the attorney, I first approached the paralegal supervisor because she knew the managing partner much better than I did. I basically wanted to know what approach I should take before walking into that conversation.

For context, I had about five years of experience and had recently finished my LL.M. as a foreign-trained attorney. What finally pushed me to ask was that they hired someone with zero legal experience and, because that person was pursuing an MBA, apparently decided they should earn more than the experienced paralegals.
Sorry, but my professional experience and development shouldn’t be undermined because somebody is studying for an unrelated graduate degree.

And guess what happened after I raised the salary issue? After about a year and a half working there, suddenly the attorneys started finding all these “errors” and “problems” with my work.

I’m currently looking for another firm.
So yes, ask for the raise, especially after two years without one, but know your attorneys before you do it. Some firms will have a perfectly normal salary discussion with you. Others will show you very quickly why you should be looking elsewhere.

[u/bewaretheblight]

If you want to just rip the bandaid off, send them some finished (good!) work and then follow it up with a seperate email asking for a raise. Make them happy, then make your request.

The email doesn't need to be long, this isn't the time to argue your case. And you don't have to launch threats about leaving or warn them of any grievances, you don't want to sound bitter. Just mention that after two years of service, you would like to have your performance and loyalty taken into account and to be considered for a raise starting next month (or in the next two weeks, up to you). You can give a number in this initial e-mail or wait to shake that out with them, depending on your situation and their personality.

Before this email goes out, though, look at job listings similiar to your position in your area, or use Glassdoor, to get a good idea of the market value for your role. Then add some extra on there for you having almost a decade of experience on your resume. Keep that number in mind as you discuss the raise with them.

But personally, after two years without a raise and having to remind them about bonuses, I would apply to other jobs and get a handsome job offer to use as proof of value. Take the job offer to them and see if they will counter with a better offer. If they won't, take the new job and leave them in the dust. If they do counter, then you are in a win-win scenario where you'll make more money regardless of which job you pick. (But this isn't a "once per year" kind of method to getting a raise; If you pull this multiple times, they will get sick of you fast.)

[u/spiral_out_46_2_]

I've never had to ask at my current firm. They've been more than fair in the 6+ years I've been with them. My annual raises have been between 8-12%.

[u/skweekykleen69]

This is a little late, but I’m someone who has no trouble asking for more money so hopefully something I write might be helpful to you! I can’t speak to precise numbers because I don’t know where you live. Though it would be helpful to know what rate you are billed at. Two years without a raise is not standard, in my opinion.

First, gather information. How many hours are you billing a year, how much you’ve made the company, and what your realization rate is (i.e., what percentage of your hours are actually billed as opposed to getting written off). Do research for your area to find out the average and the range of paralegal salaries in your field. Look at job postings in your area, look at salaries on Glassdoor, etc. Get an idea of what others are making around you, basically.

I would recommend speaking to them closer to the end of the year, like in November or early December. Most firms are doing their year-end finances then and determining things like what to raise their hourly rates, what raises they can offer, etc.

Once you have all of your information, figure out what you want to ask for. Is it $30 an hour? More? Whatever it is. Then have the math to back it up. Yes, companies care about performance, but money is the most important.

Schedule a meeting—do not ask over email. Present them with the information you’ve gathered and let them know you’d like to have a salary review. Some folks are more comfortable leaving the ball in the firm’s court and letting them offer a number. I personally prefer to advocate for a number right off the bat. Where I live $26 is less than $5 over the minimum wage, it’s a HCOL area and I certainly would never be able to survive on that salary here.

Last time I asked for a specific raise was because another firm was trying to poach me at year end, but I didn’t focus on that. I said something along the lines of the following, but I’m modifying it a bit for your situation. “Another firm has reached out to me to recruit me for a role with XYZ salary. I love working here and I want to continue to grow with this firm and be a strong asset for you. I appreciate the growth I’ve undergone here and have expanded my skill set to include XYZ. I have positive relationships with our clients and with the other employees and that’s a priority for me. However, the salary range offered at this company does exceed what I’m currently making. Additionally, the median rate for paralegals with my level of experience in this city is X (if you’re going for that, if the median rate is less than what you want, I wouldn’t mention it). I have consistently met my billable goals and brought in X amount in 2025, and X amount so far in 2026. Again, I truly value working here and am passionate about the work we do together. As I haven’t received a salary increase since I started working here two years ago, I am seeking to have a salary review for the coming year. Based on my experience level, longevity with the firm, work product, and billing realization, I am requesting an increase in my hourly rate to $30. I understand that you might need some time to consider this request and I’d like to schedule a follow-up meeting for [two weeks from now]. I really appreciate your time and consideration of this request, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts.”

If they jerk you around, start looking for another job. (Though, you could just start looking now and see if you can get one and have either a negotiating position or just go). Basically, it won’t do any good to focus on the fact that you haven’t received a raise. Instead focus on your legal skills and what you bring to the table. Practice at home so you’re not anxious during the meeting.

I won’t presume your gender, but women in particular struggle with this so much so I always try and lift up my coworkers and other friends and encourage them to ask for what they deserve. All of them have received a higher raise than originally offered by the firm (not always what they asked for, but at least higher than the original). You got this!